WORK SCHEDULED TO COMMENCE SOON...
Swanage War Memorial will benefit from a grant of Β£1,050 from the Grants for War Memorials scheme supported by Historic England.
The money will enable the repair of damage to the carved stone name plaque on the south side of the memorial. At the same time this is taking place, the specialist conservation team will use the opportunity to alter the spelling of an incorrectly spelled surname on the plaque.
After observing the weathering damage in 2024 and acknowledging the importance to the town of the memorial commemorating the lives of local soldiers who lost their lives during World War 1 and World War 2, Swanage Town Council applied for grant funding through the War Memorials Trust and has engaged the services of specialist conservation professionals SSH Conservation.
Steve Churchill, former Chairman of Swanage Royal British Legion supported the application and said, βItβs important that we remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice for this country and the towns in which they came from. Swanage War Memorial sits in a prominent place and is visited by families and school parties, so to have the damage repaired and the missing names restored would mean a great deal to all concerned. The grant would ultimately help in having the memories of those killed live on.β
Frances Moreton, Director, War Memorials Trust said, βWar memorials remind us of the millions of lives ended, or impacted, by conflict. Preserving them not only ensures we continue to commemorate them but also shows future generations the consequences of war and encourages them to avoid such suffering. War Memorials Trust was delighted to award this project a grant. The charity hopes the work will help ensure its future as a focal point for commemoration. Anyone concerned about any other war memorials that might need help should contact the charity, or if you believe it is important to preserve our war memorial heritage, please make a donation to help us protect them.β
PHOTOGRAPHSPhotographs taken/supplied by Matt Snowdon.
FURTHER INFORMATION
War Memorials Trust is an independent registered charity. Established in 1997 due to concerns about neglect and vandalism it works to protect and conserve war memorials. It provides advice, information and administers grants schemes that assist the repair and conservation of war memorials across the UK. As a charity the Trust relies on voluntary contributions to undertake its work. Supporters include annual and life members, donors, charitable trusts and corporate contributors.
https://www.warmemorials.org/